Patch up the leaky defense for the same reason: Wait, these are the Rays.

For all of the attention the other items get, a few tweaks to the team that became the out-of-character American League leader in errors last season could be the difference in making up the three games between Tampa Bay and what could have been a third consecutive playoff appearance.

"Offense has come back (to the pack)," Rays manager Joe Maddon says. "And it's going to continue to come back. Defense and pitching are going to continue to dominate in the future. It's just going to be that way."

And it's going to continue to be a way of life for the Rays. That's why they added Yunel Escobar to play shortstop and James Loney to play first base.

Will either hit enough to boost an offense that was 13th in the AL in hits last season, 11th in runs and 12th in on-base-plus-slugging percentage (OPS)?

The Rays will take their chances, the way they always do.

"I love the challenge of what we do and how we do it," Maddon says. "We're not going to be able to outhit mistakes, to outhit the other team nightly. We're not going to spend that dough to be that group anyway."

It's a premise Maddon and the Rays front office long ago accepted and embraced. That's why they've averaged 92 victories over the last five seasons, a figure only the New York Yankees and Philadelphia Phillies have topped during that time.

"I'd much prefer on a nightly basis to go into the game thinking we might be a little bit behind on the offensive side but we're ahead on the pitching side," Maddon says. "I know you lose that 1-0 game and start bemoaning the fact. But to be as pitching rich as you possibly can is a good way to go."

And that's where this year's version of the checklist began.

The Rays had the luxury of not needing a bullpen makeover. Closer Joaquin Benoit is back, giving the Rays a chance at the same saves leader in consecutive seasons for the first time since Danys Baez in 2004-05. Also returning are top setup men Jake McGee and Joel Peralta.

The focus instead was on the timing - and return - on another trade of starting pitching. This time it was James Shields, who had provided more than 200 innings for six consecutive seasons.

"If you're really blown away by somebody, yeah, it makes all the sense in the world," Maddon says of holding out for the type of deal Tampa Bay got.

The return on the trade of Shields to the Kansas City Royals was at the level the Rays deemed necessary to remain a contender. Outfielder Wil Myers is one of the top handful of offensive prospects in the minors and should be in the Tampa Bay lineup sometime this year. Pitching prospect Jake Odorizzi jumps right into the competition to fill Shields' rotation spot, but he'll have to battle the likes of Alex Cobb and Chris Archer among what still could be a glut of pitching.

That glut starts with AL Cy Young Award winner David Price and continues with Jeremy Hellickson and Matt Moore, all of whom have graduated from homegrown phenom status during the Rays' rise to power.

So even with Shields gone, none of the younger pitchers will be asked to be saviors.

"If you're chasing a championship, how far forward do you want to push them in the rotation?" Maddon says. "I think down the road they're going to meander up to the top of the rotation, no question. For right now, if you can set them where they set, that makes you really strong."

Maddon is quite clear about where the Rays stand. "Trust me, we're going to be really good," he says.

***

Where the Rays stand at each position

Catcher

How much of a workload Jose Molina can handle determines how the position shakes out. He's still the starter, as he was 80 times last year, and Jose Lobaton remains the primary backup. Molina plays steady defense but hit .223 last year. Chris Gimenez should see some major league time, and Stephen Vogt and Robinson Chirinos are viable options for part-time duty.

First base

This is a position where the Rays usually look for a bargain to help fill gaps in the offense. James Loney is this year's candidate, an inexpensive signing (one year, $2 million) who has never provided the power traditional at the position. Versatile Ben Zobrist is the primary backup.

Second base

Zobrist could start here, but, as he has learned through his career, manager Joe Maddon loves to use his versatility. Zobrist still could repeat his 2012 team high in starts here (though it was only 46), but Ryan Roberts also will get significant time. Mike Fontenot, Sean Rodriguez, Elliot Johnson and Reid Brignac also can fill in.

Third base

Evan Longoria is the surest thing on the lineup card every day as long as he doesn't have a repeat of his injury-limited 84-game 2012. Roberts, Fontenot, Rodriguez and Johnson all are capable of filling in, but, as the Rays were reminded last season, there's no replacing Longoria.

Shortstop

The acquisition of Yunel Escobar should settle the position after a couple of years in flux. The roster still is filled with guys who can play there - Zobrist, Brignac, Rodriguez and Johnson. Hak-Ju Lee is one of the top prospects in the organization and could be ready for major league duty later in the season. And former No. 1 overall pick Tim Beckham has revived some of his prospect status.

Left field

The position might not be settled until the Rays decide it's time for Wil Myers, USA TODAY Sports' 2012 minor league player of the year, to make his debut. If and when he moves into right field, Matt Joyce would be bumped to regular duty in left. In the meantime, Sam Fuld and Brandon Guyer could share time in left or Joyce could move to left to let Zobrist play some in right.

Center field

Desmond Jennings has been the heir apparent to now-departed B.J. Upton and makes the move from left as long as Fuld is the only other realistic option in center. Fuld should get starts, but his roster status could depend on candidates for the other outfield spots. Myers has played mostly right but is capable of handling center. Non-roster players Jason Bourgeois and Rich Thompson also will be in spring training camp.

Right field

Joyce is the starter, or at least as much of a starter as anyone not named Longoria is on a Maddon roster. The lefty's role could hinge on the progress of Myers, the top prospect acquired in the trade of James Shields. Myers is right-handed, so he is at least a candidate for sharing the job, but he probably begins in the minors so the Rays can delay his arbitration and free agency clock. This is another position where Zobrist is a solid Plan B.

Designated hitter

Maddon used 13 players in the slot last year and is likely to continue using it as a place to get one more good matchup into that day's game. Roberts will be the first choice, but Joyce, Zobrist and Fuld should get their share of time.

Starters

After Shields departs, Cy Young Award winner David Price moves to the clear No. 1 spot in the team's strongest area. Jeremy Hellickson and Matt Moore line up behind him, and Jeff Niemann also has a spot assuming he's ready after missing most of last season. Alex Cobb and Chris Archer are next in line from the organization's pitching pipeline and should compete for the fifth spot with Jake Odorizzi, acquired from the Kansas City Royals in the Shields deal. Right behind them are hard-throwing Alex Colome and Mike Montgomery. Roberto Hernandez (known as Fausto Carmona when he pitched for the Cleveland Indians) will get a chance.

Bullpen

There's far more stability than usual with Jake McGee (5-2, 1.95 ERA) and Joel Peralta (2-6, 3.63) returning as the prime setup men. Some younger arms have the opportunity to move into more prominent roles, most likely Cesar Ramos, Alex Torres, Brandon Gomes and Josh Lueke. Dane De La Rosa could be a useful lefty.

Closer

It's not the usual search-and-gamble scenario to find a new closer with Fernando Rodney (0.60 ERA, 48 saves) returning after a career year. Plus, it allows the Rays to watch the progress of McGee, a left-hander long considered a future closer but still progressing with his consistency. Another year, which coincides with Rodney hitting free agency, will be helpful.***

Prospects to watch

OF Wil Myers: He's in the argument for the best pure hitter in the minors, but how long he'll remain a minor leaguer will be determined this spring. Acquired from the Kansas City Royals in the James Shields trade, Myers, 22, could land the opening-day right-field job. But he's more likely to wait a bit if the Rays choose to delay the start of his clock toward arbitration and free agency. Still, he should be a factor in the majors this season.

RHP Chris Archer: He re-established his power arsenal - and, more important, his command - last season. Now, he'll be fighting for a rotation spot two years after coming over from the Chicago Cubs in the Matt Garza trade. If he controls his fastball and power slider, he can be dominant.

RHP Jake Odorizzi: Myers got the attention in the Shields trade, but this 2008 Milwaukee Brewers first-round pick (he also has been traded for Zack Greinke) could have as much impact. Odorizzi, 22, throws hard, but it's his polish and use of secondary pitches that can make him a swing-and-miss pitcher.

RHP Taylor Guerrieri: The 2011 first-rounder has the highest ceiling of the prospects the organization has drafted. This will be his first year in a full-season league and, while the system's depth precludes any need to fast-track him, the 20-year-old is a power pitcher who could move up quickly.

SS Hak-Ju Lee: While 2008 No. 1 overall pick Tim Beckham is a level ahead, the athletic Lee - another product of the Garza trade - is a strong defender with above-average base stealing ability. With more consistent contact, he could work his way into consideration for at least a major league utility role in the next year.